Monday, December 27, 2010

Sunny Sunflowers

I love Sunflowers.  It was the first flowers my husband gave to me when we were dating.  The name of my jewelry website, Sunfluer’s Jewelry Designs is inspired by these cheerful flowers.  Funny thing is that although I’ve used lots of different subjects in my fine artworks, I haven’t taken much time to bring one of my favorite flowers into the work.

I created a Sunflower drawing with color pencils.  Using various shades of yellows, browns and greens, I created this new work with layers of colors.  Just like painting, I build the colors up by layering color upon color and blending.  Although this is a small work, 9 x 7 inches, it took hours to make.  I find I like working small and spending time on the details.

This piece was created with Zazzle products in mind.  It is a good subject for many of the products.  You can find this lovely image on necklace pendants, cups, hats, greeting cards, etc., at my Zazzle store.

SunflowerBouquet2

"Never look directly at the sun. Instead, look at the sunflower."  ~  Vera Nazarian ~

Friday, December 17, 2010

Year of the Rabbit

My latest artwork is inspired by the upcoming Chinese New Year in February 2011.  Twelve years ago,  I traveled to China to adopt my daughter.  The Chinese were getting ready to celebrate the year of the rabbit.  There were decorations everywhere with images of the rabbit and auspicious symbols.  This memory is what is behind this new work.

It is red pigment ink with gold leaf on Bristol.  The image is available on various products in my Zazzle store.



It is a small scale, 5 x 5 work.  It took an entire afternoon to create it.  I had to take my time to fill in the red ink.  It required patience and a steady hand.  In the middle of the rabbit's body is the Chinese symbol for "rabbit". 

I'm happy I learned as a child to color inside of the lines although my inclination as an adult is to work outside of it...

www.OffTheCuffArt.com
 www.BarbaraGiordanoArt.Etsy.com
 www.SunfluersJewelryDesigns.com
 www.Zazzle.com/Sunfluer
 http://SunfluerDesigns.Imagekind.com

Saturday, December 4, 2010

Border Collie

I’m continuing to explore my new graphic tablet and created a Border Collie.  It was a interesting exercise.  I’m still trying to get comfortable with the tool.

This is an experimental piece which I created free hand referencing a photo:

BorderCollie

Friday, December 3, 2010

New Digital Art

I was finally able to fund a graphic tablet.  I'm very excited about it and couldn’t wait to begin the first project.  It takes a bit getting used to working with it although having some prior experience using Photoshop helps a lot.

After reviewing the tutorial, I jumped right in learning as I go along.  I created a piece from my memory of the Mad Hatter, a favorite character.

HatterReducedWhat I love about the tablet is the flexibility of making changes.  It’s so easy if you don’t like something or want a different color.  Flexibility is something I could definitely live with.  I’m hoping that as I become more proficient using the tablet it will help me find more of my voice and vision in my work.  It is great, I think as an aid to loosing up artist block.  Now, I’m looking forward to creating the next artwork.

Friday, November 19, 2010

Birches in Autumn

“Everyone who enjoys thinks that the principal thing to the tree is the fruit, but in point of fact the principal thing to it is the seed.  --Herein lies the difference between them that create and them that enjoy”  ~ Friedrich Nietzsche ~
I love special requests of my work.  It validates the artwork I create is meaningful.  It inspires and uplifts me.
A week ago, I received a special request from a person who purchased one of my art blocks from a vending machine.  It was one of the birch tree paintings.  He liked it and asked if I would make a set of 4 birch tree blocks for him.  Of course, I was delighted to accept the special request.  I don’t think we can have too much art.  And, it’s a joy creating these little works of art.  The art blocks are a unique, affordable way of collecting original works of art.
Autumn is my favorite time of year.  I have a lovely view from my studio window of trees in my back yard and beyond.  Although the leaves are now gone, the image and color remain in my memory.  It holds special meaning for me.  When I thought of the trees, the only image that persisted in my mind for this work was birches in autumn.
Birches in Autumn Art Blocks
If I wasn’t a contributing artist for ArtOMat, I would not have known this opportunity to create something special by request.  Thank you to my customer and ArtOMat.

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Blocks for ArtOMat

My contribution for ArtoMat is long overdue.  I’ve been working on an animals series.  Many pieces are dogs but there are other surprises in this art block series.

Here is a preview of the work:

3Dogs

The blocks are painted and I just need to finish mounting the work.  My goal is to get the pieces completed and ready for shipping before months end.

All works in the set are done in pencil and/or acid free, archival ink pens and markers.

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Witch

A piece I created as part of a collaboration project on Art Sharing 21:

The completed project.

Sunday, September 12, 2010

Simply Marilyn

Here is another rendering of Marilyn Monroe.  There is no doubt she was an incredibly handsome woman.  She had dreamy eyes not easy to ignore.  I was working on capturing the “come hither” look Marilyn personified with ease.

Marilyn1

Although I signed the piece, I might continue working on it.  I’m not sure if I’m satisfied.  It is a challenge an artist must, at times come to terms with.  Sometimes, it’s best to quit and move on to the next project.  At any rate, I’m happy to produce this work.  My 12 year old daughter thinks I do faces well.  For me, it’s an exercise in my journey as a self taught artist.

Simply Marilyn is done in Prismacolor pencils on 5”x5” Bristol vellum.

Friday, September 10, 2010

Pop Art Marilyn

"I'm for the individual as opposed to the corporation. The way it is the individual is the underdog, and with all the things a corporation has going for them the individual comes out banged on her head. The artist is nothing. It's really tragic."   ~ Marilyn Monroe ~

PopArtMarilynThis is my first Marilyn Monroe drawing.  I made this one for an Art-O-Mat art block.  Slowly but surely, I’m working on the next set of blocks for the miniature art vending machines.

Pop Art Marilyn is done in color pencil and pigment ink pens on Bristol.

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Handy Dandy Etsy Tools

Do you do Etsy?  I love Etsy.  I have a little shop there among  many, many wonderful shops with gorgeous, unique and slick handmade items from around the world.  It is the perfect market place to find just about anything you can imagine.

I love techie, online gadget tools.  It helps to make things easier when artists need online ways to promote their work.  Cr8tivity.com is the place to go for tech tools for Etsy shop owners.  At Cr8tivity, I created a widget just for my products.  Here, let me show you:

It is so simple to use.  You grab the code and slap it on your blog and/or website.  Instantly created is a slide show of your products linked directly to your shop.  It can’t get easier than that!  Got to love it.

The other great tools on Cr8tivity are helpers to assist in monitoring the Etsy shop.  You can check statistics and see how many people hearted your shop.  If you submit a photo of your product to Cr8tivity, your shop might be featured.  Check out Cr8tivity and while your at it, stop by Etsy.com.  There is something for everyone – trust me.  After you visit Etsy, stop back here and let me know what you think.  What are your favorite products and/or shops.  Really, I want to know.  At some point, I might feature one or more of the shops here on my blog.

Practical Artful Gifts

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